'role in the spread of' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "The internet has played a major role in the spread of information around the world."
A small number of severely infected patients or super-spreading patients appeared to play a disproportionate role in the spread of the disease to HCWs.
Economic concerns may outweigh worries about China's role in the spread of nuclear weapons.
He expressed a cautious hope that with China's new missile export rules, the longstanding rancor over the country's role in the spread of weapons could abate.
But while some data suggest that doctors' garments are crawling with germs, there's no evidence that clothing plays a role in the spread of hospital infections.
Southwest China played a pivotal role in the spread of agriculture across East and Southeast Asia.
Travel and communication must also play a significant role in the spread of facts and knowledge.
Information asymmetry due to new media like social networks play a big role in the spread of misinformation.
This confirms that the change of weather plays an important role in the spread of mosquito-transmitted infectious diseases.
Pig movements play a significant role in the spread of economically important infectious diseases such as the African swine fever.
The influenza neuraminidase plays a critical role in the spread of the influenza A and B viruses.
Prof Donnelly added: "These findings confirm that badgers do play a large role in the spread of bovine TB.
